Netflix is bringing Emily Henry’s bestselling rom-com to your screens
Some love stories are built on instant sparks. Others take years of awkward jokes, sharing deep, intimate secrets, and a hundred almost-moments before they finally land. Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation belongs firmly in the second camp and is now getting adapted by Netflix.
The beloved novel of the author, which debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list, went on to sell more than two million copies. It received unimaginable love, and that’s how it caught the eye of Netflix.
Now, it’s all set to make the leap from page to screen with a film adaptation. It will premiere on January 9th, 2026. For fans who have dog-eared their copies and have imagined the slow-burn friendship-to-romance of Alex and Poppy a million times in their heads, this is the big-screen moment they have been waiting for.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes fame Tom Blyth will be playing the role of Alex. At the same time, My Lady Jane fame Emily Baderwill brings Poppy to life. The character of Alex is supposed to be a reserved and practical guy, while Poppy is the chaotic best friend who talks too much, feels everything too deeply, and somehow makes the mess look charming.
Brett Haley, who has previously directed Hearts Beat Loud and All the Bright Places, is directing the film and is determined to keep the story’s spine intact.
Although there is a change of locations in the film, call it creative liberty. From New Orleans jazz bars to a Barcelona wedding, which is a change from Palm Springs in the book, the film takes audiences on a global tour. However, the sight of the central pair in the film is never lost despite all the locations, which is crucial.
And then there’s the chemistry of the actors. Author Emily Henry herself admitted she was nervous about who would embody her characters. But according to Tudum, after watching Tom and Emily read together, she said she “could not feel more confident” that fans, and even those who haven’t picked up the book, will fall for Alex and Poppy.
That’s the heart of it. People We Meet on Vacation isn’t about a whirlwind fling or a too-perfect rom-com fantasy. It is about the kind of love that creeps up on you while you are busy living. It’s about missed chances, bad timing, and the bravery it takes to risk the friendship that means the most. And in the end, it’s about living a little more every day.
So pack your bags, because the trip is already booked. When Alex and Poppy’s story arrives this January, expect a love story that doesn’t just sweep you away but makes you feel like you’ve been on vacation with them all along.